Big White Voted Best Snow in North America

For Immediate Release
December 15, 2008

Big White is ecstatic to be recognized as having the best snow in North America by the readers of Condé Nast’s Traveler. Their 2008 annual poll, which rated the top 20 ski resorts in North America, identified Big White as having cleared the field with more than 95% of the 32,000 readers agreeing that Big White is the place to go for quality snow.

Condé Nast is one of the leading travel publications with 3.1 million readers, and was listed in the top 10 magazines in the US in 2008. Each year, Condé Nast conducts the poll to determine the top 20 ski resorts in North America with seasoned travelers from around the globe voting for their top resorts. Resorts were judged on terrain and conditions, lifts and lines, après-ski/activities, dining, and town ambience.

“We’re blessed with over 7.5 meters of the best snow that Mother Nature provides. It’s a great honor to be recognized by the skiing public in such a respected international travel publication.” commented Big White Ski Resorts Senior Vice President Michael J. Ballingall. "I was playing in it on Saturday and tasted it for myself and agree it’s the best in North America” continued Michael J.
But that’s not all they came home with. Big White also ranked highly when it came to lift infrastructure and lines. With 18 lifts (6 high speed) and a total uphill capacity of 28,000 skiers per hour, guests never experience a long wait in the lift line.

“With the caliber of international ski resorts, it’s a great achievement to be recognized as one of the leading ski resorts in the world”, said Jay Hayashi, General Manager. “Our team goes out of their way every day to ensure a quality resort experience”.

This is not the first time that Big White has been internationally recognized as they were recently listed 3rd in the “100 Top Ski Holidays for First Timers and Families” by Peter Hardy from the Daily Telegraph on the 14th of October, 2008. Peter is a leading British expert on the ski and travel industry and is a ski correspondent for the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail.

"The Envelope, Please…" Ski Canada Magazine Writers, Contributors Salute Big White and Silver Star, With a Multitude of Awards!

For Immediate Release:
January 17, 2008

Every year around this time, Ski Canada magazine announces its annual "Best of Skiing in Canada" awards. Find the results in the Ski Canada magazine (Vol. 36 no. 4 - Winter 2008)

These awards recognize the unique qualities of the Canadian ski experience. More than just statistics, the 'Best of Skiing in Canada' award categories are developed from the personal experiences of Ski Canada contributors and editorial personnel looking for the highest, the newest, the most excellent and, yes, even the funniest characteristics of Canada's ski resorts.

Big White and Silver Star were cited for six awards each including: Best Powder (p. 24); Best Tickets to Ride; Best Glade Skiing; Best Ski-in Ski-out Properties; Best New Slopeside Accommodation; Best Adaptive Ski Program and even Most Reliable Hairdo by a Ski Instructor. Some categories had multiple winners.

"The industry is always very excited to see 'the Best of Skiing' issue of Ski Canada magazine," commented Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President, "it is gratifying that our National industry magazine has recognized the Kelowna International Airport, which will be expanded in 2008, through the 'Best Ticket to Ride' category due to its great direct access, 'Best Tree Huggers' for the top glade skiing in Canada and even 'Best Choice for Lazybones Who Like to Ski Straight From Their Doors' – in other words, best slope side accommodation."

Silver Star Mountain Resort's new Snowbird Lodge took home the prestigious "Best New Slopeside Accommodation" which is so close to the slopes that you can "ski right into the ski room (if you're on rentals…)."

The Ski Canada Awards also recognized Jon Rescorla, head of the Big White Powderhounds Adaptive Ski Club, for his tireless volunteerism in the cause of adaptive/disabled skiing. "These people are total stars and deserve far greater recognition than they currently receive," wrote Jenny George, a Ski Canada reader from the United Kingdom who was on "The Holiday of a Lifetime". On a lighter note, Silver Star Snowsport School director Norman Kreutz officially displaced Ken Read as having the 'most reliable hairdo' of anyone in the Canadian ski industry!

For more information, contact: Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Big White and Silver Star Mountain Resorts. (250) 765-3101 – Email: mballingall@bigwhite.com